News Release

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Man Kidnapped and Taken To Mexico

Los Angeles: A man was kidnapped from in front of his home and taken across the border into Tijuana, Mexico on Tuesday, April 12, 2005.

At approximately 5:25 a.m., 41-year old Julio Hernandez was leaving his house and walking towards his car when the suspect walked up to Hernandez and placed a knife against his rib cage area. Hernandez attempted to leave but was thrown to the ground by the suspect. When a second suspect drove up in a truck, both suspects bound and gagged the victim and forced him into the truck, beating and kicking him.

As the suspects drove away with the victim, they took his personal property from him.

The suspects drove the victim across the Mexican Border to an unknown remote location in Tijuana, where they threw him out of the vehicle and left him, bound with his head covered. Tijuana citizens found the victim and took him to the Mexican Red Cross where he received medical treatment.

Hollenbeck detectives were notified and went to the border in San Ysidro to pick up the victim from Mexican Authorities.

Detectives developed information about a possible suspect and place Manuel DeJesus Turcios, under surveillance at his residence, where they observed him attempting to destroy possible evidence. Turcios was taken into custody and booked for 209 PC - Kidnapping for the purposes of Robbery.

Turcios is described as a 36-year old male Hispanic.

The second suspect has not been identified and is still outstanding.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective William Eagleson at Hollenbeck Detectives at 323-526-3004. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at the Detective Information Desk at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).